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For the period 19 March 2021 to 30 May 2021, Compass Housing Services (Compass) is offering an amnesty on unauthorised occupants, undisclosed income or financial assets and undisclosed property ownership. This amnesty period coincides with the current rent review period. 

What does this mean?
Tenants who declare unauthorised occupants, undisclosed income or financial assets:

• Will not have their rent backdated
• Will not be evicted as a result of any information provided during the amnesty period

How does the amnesty work?
The amnesty will give tenants the opportunity to tell Compass about any undisclosed occupants, income or assets without risk of penalty or having to pay back money owed due to prior non-disclosure. 
During the amnesty information can also be received from members of the community, about tenants who may not be doing the right thing. In these cases, the Tenant will be notified in writing about the allegation and given the opportunity to discuss this with Compass and disclose any necessary information. If they do so, they will also be protected by the amnesty. 

What happens if I do not advise Compass about changes?
Tenants who do not advise Compass during the amnesty period may:

• have their rent subsidy cancelled;
• have a large debt to repay; and/or
• face more serious actions such as termination of their tenancy

However, any of these actions can be stopped by simply contacting Compass during the amnesty period  on 1300 333 733 and asking to speak with a rent officer, or by email to reportit@compasshousing.org

Notification Requirements
Residents are required to tell Compass about any changes to their income, household members, financial assets or property ownership within 21 days of the change happening. 
This is very important because your social housing rent is calculated as a percentage of your total household income. If these changes are not declared, the tenant may be paying more, or less rent than they should.
This is not fair to other residents that are doing the right thing. It also means that there is less money available to reinvest in more social housing, property upgrades and other social housing activities.

To make a declaration
Contact Compass on 1300 333 733 and speak with a rent officer, or report by emailing reportit@compasshousing.org
Rental payments will be reassessed to take into account any changes to income, assets or household members
The tenant will be advised of their new rent amount and under the terms of the amnesty, will only commence payment of the new amount from the date of disclosure

The first sod has been turned on an innovative community housing project that will serve people with a disability in the outer Brisbane suburb of Marsden.

Compass Housing Services' (Compass) Specialist Disability Accommodation team is working with investLogan on the project which will see construction of two, three-bedroom dwellings. The homes can be used as NDIS housing with provision for a Supported Independent Living Provider to be on site. Compass has been contracted to provide ongoing property and tenancy management services.

Compass Executive Manager of Specialist Disability Accommodation, Emma Duiz, said Compass was thrilled to be involved in such an important project. 

“Specialist Disability Accommodation is a game changer in terms of the way we, as a community, provide housing for people with disabilities,” Ms Duiz said. “Everyone has a right to live as part of the community, and to have choice and control over their own housing situation. Projects like this help make that possible.”

The homes are scheduled for completion in late 2021. They will be designed and constructed to the High Physical Support Specialty Disability Accommodation (SDA) Design Category, which is designed to incorporate a high level of physical access provision for people with significant physical impairment and requiring very high levels of support. This standard is equivalent to the Liveable Housing Australia ‘Platinum’ level.

The Community Housing Industry Association predicts Australia will have a gap of one million community homes within 20 years. This housing crisis is having the biggest impact on the 4.4 million Australian’s living with disability, of which more than 40 percent have reported not having their need for assistance fully met .

investLogan Chair Steve Greenwood said the current rate of construction of community homes doesn’t keep pace with the growing need, much less manage the backlog of people waiting for suitable NDIS accommodation.

“There is a growing need for housing that is suitable for those living with disabilities within our community,” Mr Greenwood said. “investLogan is committed to delivering social projects that support our community and improve liveability for all levels of need.

“This development is just a small contribution, but if it is getting a handful of people into homes where they feel entirely supported and have all their needs met then we are extremely pleased with that outcome.”

The move is supported by the City of Logan, with the sod turn attended by Logan Deputy Mayor Jon Raven.

Cr Raven said the delivery of NDIS housing was an excellent result for the region.

“We’re very pleased to see the delivery of this very important housing project that will provide people in need with a space where they can feel comfortable and supported,” Cr Raven said. “Across the country we are facing a tight housing market, which is being felt strongly by those who require specialised accommodation, so this housing will go a long way in supporting those who need it most.”